Vinyl Decal vs. Static Cling – Which is Right for Me?

With so many different sign materials available, it can sometimes be difficult to know what kind of sign is the best fit for your needs. At Signazon.com, we’ve noticed that two of our most-popular window signs, vinyl decals and static clings are often confused with each other, and customers don’t know which they should buy. The first step in designing and ordering the right sign for your business is to understand the differences between each material, so here we will take a closer look at both products to help you decide which one to purchase.

Vinyl Decals

Vinyl decals are essentially heavy-duty stickers. The material is a thin plastic called Vinyl Decal Film that sticks to a variety of surfaces, including glass, metal, wood and plastic. Vinyl film is also weatherproof and has a stunning gloss finish. Most commonly, vinyl decals are printed with an opaque, full-color design on one side and adhesive on the other, but many other options are available.

Pros: Vinyl decals are perfect for outdoor use, because they can withstand the elements, including UV rays and rain. Designed to be long-lasting, they can be placed on almost any type of surface. Vinyl decals can also be produced with unique options such as lettering, shapes, inside glass, double-sided and clear vinyl.

Cons: Removing vinyl decals takes a little effort. It is possible to remove them; it just takes patience and a focused heat source. Vinyl decals are, because of this, designed to be a semi-permanent window sign. Once removed, vinyl decals are not reusable.

Best for: If you are looking for long-term signage that can withstand outside exposure, such as store hours on a front door or other permanent branding, vinyl window decals are the perfect sign choice for your needs.

Static Clings

Static clings are made from a thin plastic film that “clings” to different surfaces with static electricity. Static cling will cling to smooth surfaces, typically glass, but also plastic and metal. Standard static window clings are printed with a vibrant full-color, solid design and have a glossy finish.

Pros: Free of adhesive, window clings can easily be removed, repositioned, and reused. Both sides of the material cling to glass so they can be placed inside or outside a window. If you want your static cling to be placed on the inside facing out, it is recommended that you add the “Inside Glass” option to keep the ink from staining the glass. Static clings can be printed in any size, from small window cling stickers to large promotional signs. Options such as shape die-cutting and clear static cling are available.

Cons: The lack of adhesive means that static clings are not weather-resistant. Static electricity is not enough to keep static clings secure against the elements. Clings are not recommended for vehicles. Additionally, the material begins to lose its ability to cling over time and may need to be re-installed or even replaced.

Best for: Static clings are great for short-term signage (less than 6 months), such as temporary promotions and branding. Clings can also be used for personal events, such as weddings.

In order to choose the right material, first ask yourself what you need. If you want something temporary that is easy to remove and can be reused, static clings are the right choice. For long-lasting installations, choose vinyl decals, which offer weather-resistance and low maintenance.